UnpluggedMr. Richard Graves @KYSUAlumniThe Communication Challenges for Kentucky State University

@KYSUAlumni

Richard Graves has held several positions within the Kentucky State University National Alumni Association (KSUNAA), including four years as President of the KSUNAA Indianapolis Chapter President, Chair of the KSUNAA Organizational Behavior Executive Committee, and the Kentucky State University Liaison/Coordinator for the Circle City Classic Football Game Weekend Activities.

As the President of the Indianapolis Chapter, he has created a road map that has turned the chapter’s success around in two years. His holistic view of structuring the landscape of the Indianapolis alumni chapter has helped them achieve its goals as outlined with the association’s mission statement.

As the Chair of the KSUNAA Organizational Behavior Executive Committee, he led the organizational capacity assessment workshop during the 2016 Detroit Summer Weekend, which focused on identifying the capacity strengths and challenges of KSUNAA. This workshop was a catalyst for alumni stakeholders to engage in a rich dialogue and prioritize the direction of outlining, planning and building chapter infrastructure. After completing the assessment, he recommended that each chapter build a stronger engagement with the alumni network, measure the impact of their alumni programs, focus on stronger tactical steps to recruit alumni, focus on increasing the brand, fully integrate the communications systems, and engage in more student recruiting events.

​He has also coordinated and planned Kentucky State University’s participation in the Circle City Classic Football Game. The Classic is national program that provides scholarships to students attending historically black colleges and universities. His success of coordinating the school’s participation in the Circle City Classics over the last four years, has yielded the following results:

Increase in the recruitment and enrollment of Indianapolis students to KSU by 150% over a 4-year period.

Increase in corporate sponsorships and organizational support by 50% for the KSU Indianapolis Alumni Association’s scholarship programs.

Increase in alumni participation and support of chapter programs (currently at a record high).

Increase in the National Exposure/Coverage of KSU, the football team and band on television networks (i.e. ESPN).

His goal is to implement an integrated technology approach that will foster a stronger infrastructure, increase alumni membership, help the association become financially strong and allow alums to communicate more effectively.

He believes that KSUNAA is a very important part of the growth and development of Kentucky State University. Therefore, having synergy with the university is a main component of the success of KSU. He also believes that it will take every chapter, in every state, and every alum to support Kentucky State University.

As a current leader with KSUNAA, he understands the importance of fostering the goals and objectives of the university’s Mission Statement. His 35 years of professional skills and experiences will allow him to implement strategic initiatives that will move our association’s mission forward.

Some of the organizations that he is actively involved in include: the American Diabetes Association, the Indianapolis Toastmasters Club, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a subscribing life member of KSUNAA, and was recently awarded the 2017 Emerging Leader by the United States Small Business Administration.

As the CEO of an Indiana Health Corporation, he has demonstrated his leadership skills and his the ability to coordinate and manage health care services for people with diabetes throughout the United States. He has worked internationally with the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and leads several diabetes research programs. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Graves graduated from Kentucky State University in 1981 and earned a Master in Business Administration from Western Governor’s University in January 2014.